Jammu, 26 July (H.S.): Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) unit of Central University of Jammu today held a protest at University campus demanding immediate rollback of the recently announced hostel lodging fee hike.

Students from various hostels participated in the protest and staged an hour-long dharna demanding affordable and accessible education to all. ABVP condemned the administration’s decision of steep and arbitrary increase in hostel fees for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

“The fee, which has been increased from Rs 8000 to Rs 12000 and now to Rs 18000 over the last few years, has created financial burden on students coming from diverse backgrounds across the nation,” ABVP said while raising concern that students from rural, economically weaker and socially marginalized backgrounds are disproportionately affected by the fee increase.

The protest began with a march from the Aryabhata Block to the newly constructed administrative building, with students holding placards, banners and raising slogans demanding “Fee Hike Wapas Lo”. ABVP also organized a sit-in outside the administrative block, calling for immediate redressal of student grievances.

ABVP Unit secretary, Abhishek Choudhary while addressing the gathering, stated, “Education is not a privilege, it is a right. At a time when the Government is advocating for Digital India, Skill India and New Education Policy, such fee hikes are betrayal of the promise of equitable access to education.”

The protest ended peacefully after the assurance from Vice-Chancellor that they will not increase the fee and hostel will be allotted on the criteria basis. He said that student’s interest will be their first priority and they will work for the betterment of academics and university facilities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar